Our mission is to offer a welcoming and safe community that reaches out to and receives spiritual seekers. We provide a voice for religious diversity and encourage personal transformation as we strive toward a better world.

    Our covenant is to be a loving, joyful community that nurtures spiritual growth and promotes compassion, social responsibility, and service in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

    In just two years the number of people who oppose gay marriage has dropped from 64% to 51% according to Pew Research. In addition, the number of people who oppose changing the Constitution (Federal), has risen, those supporting gays and lesbians adopting is now evenly split, and 6 in 10 favor allowing gays to serve in the military.

    Think back only a few years to when Ellen Degineris came out on her television show Ellen knowing her show would be canceled. I happily remember watching the episode with my lesbian house mate, who could barely contain her excitement. That was only nine years ago. And this year’s near winner of Best Picture at the Academy awards was about two gay cowboys (racism won over as the issue of choice with Crash).

    The twentieth century saw a lot of progressive political change. Perhaps not enough for some, but certainly too much for others. From voting rights for women, blacks and the New Deal Era bringing health care reform for the elderly and poor, to civil rights for gays and lesbians. It’s no wonder the ultra conservatives are freaking out. They are feeling appropriately threatened.

    But change is impossible to stop, and nearly impossible to slow down. Marriage has changed throughout the centuries, from the Hebrews requiring a widow to marry her deceased husband’s brother to ensure bloodlines, to arranged marriages to ensure political alliance and property deals, to marriages of convenience to support immigration. Bride’s have come with a price on their head and a scarf to cover their face. Others have been subject to years of bride schooling, waiting for the stranger their family arranges for them to be betrothed to.

    The Mormons tested American morality with polygamy and failed, so why even go there? To jump from extending gay and lesbian marriage rights to polygamy, and a whole host of other outrageous accusations is nothing more than sensationalism and fear mongering.

    The troubadours of Medieval days introduced the idea of romance to marriage, which was slow to catch on, but eventually caught all our hearts. It is now widely recognized in many cultures that while people may marry for love, not all marry for children, either by choice or due to infertility. To tell a heterosexual couple who is experiencing infertility that marriage is, in part, for having children, is down right mean and cruel.

    Yes, the drive to propagate is strong in humanity, but to narrow the definition of marriage to having children is a false attempt to restrict gays and lesbians from marrying. The reality is they can and do have children, often with greater success at raising children because they made a clear and conscious choice, and they know they have fought hard for their right to be parents.

    There are over 1000 civil rights at stake for gays and lesbians. To treat them as anything less than equal is to challenge the basic structure and principles of our country and our Constitution. Do we really want to make such a lasting change by changing our State Constitution in the face of constant change in public opinion. We are not where we were yesterday, and tomorrow will change again.

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RUAUU classes with Rev. Kate Walker will be held on Sunday, April 23 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Parish House. Sign-up in the Parish House.

    I got a better view last week when I was looking at baby seahorses at the Pittsburgh Science Center. An employee explained how an adult seahorse had recently given birth. The faculty, being concerned over the welfare of the tiny (and I mean T-I-N-Y) creatures, had moved them to a separate plastic container. The container was positioned against the glass of the aquarium offering a perfect view to us visitors. I climbed up onto a child’s footstool to take a closer look, and I was absolutely amazed, awed, humbled by the "aliveness" of this wee little animal. The smallest one measured approximately 1 centimeter tall, and it dipped and spun and dove around floating pieces of plant life. At one point, it stopped suddenly, and its eyes rolled around to look at me directly. Hello, I thought.

    Later, my kids, husband, and I entered the giant IMAX theater to watch a film entitled A Walk on the Moon. On this colossal movie screen I vicariously experienced the astronauts’ first steps on the moon. At one point the camera lifted and focused on our earth. Suddenly, my breath caught in my throat as I viewed our home from space and, at the same time, thought about my encounter with the microscopic sea horse. In that moment I encountered the vast-ness of the universe combined with the minutia of life. But it was more than that. It was my ability to say "hello" to life in the midst of the nothingness of space. It reminded me how life itself is so miraculous.

    Since that experience I find myself thinking about that tiny sea-horse and its water dance in that aquarium. And with the arrival of spring I watch new life coming up all around me. To ask, "Is this all to life?" makes me realize that, yes, and it is enough.

    Thank you to Mark Wickenheiser, Rebecca Hecking, Alice Deckert, and Mike McGrath for chaperoning our Coming of Age students to the Greek Orthodox Church in Erie last weekend. Thanks also to the students: Steven, Matthew, and Julia Hecking, Megan and Caitlin McGrath. Their extra time and commitment were very appreciated! We especially enjoyed the Greek restaurant afterwards.

    The letter and survey about our comprehensive sexuality curriculum OWL (Our Whole Lives) have been sent out to all parents. Please read and respond to this survey as soon as possible and return to Lee Ann Wester. Bill and Sue Fuller, Josh and Lisbet Searle-White, and myself will be traveling to the UU Church of Kent to receive training during the first weekend of May. Following the training our facilitators will hold a meeting for parents sometime in late May.

    This Sunday, April 9, the Coming of Age class will attend a service at the First Presbyterian Church in Meadville. Coming of Age students will meet at 10:30 in the Parish House and walk to the church for the 11:00 service. A tour will follow. Students should arrive back at the UU Church around 1:00.

    On Easter Sunday, April 16, children will participate in our annual Easter Egg Hunt following the children’s story. Children are asked to bring along an empty Easter basket to gather their treasures!

    On Sunday, April 23, the RE Committee will be hosting the annual RE Teacher Appreciation Brunch. The teachers will be honored during the service, and a brunch will follow for the entire congregation. Please plan to attend this special event and show your support for our teachers!!!!

    Mike McGrath called the board meeting to order at 6:38. The check in of board members revealed a mellow, harmonious mood and Mike read the opening words. Cynthia volunteered to offer the opening words for the next meeting. Present: Mike McGrath, president; Mike Thomson, Treasurer; Cynthia Burton, Clerk; Rebecca Hecking, Worship; Mark Wickenheiser, Properties; Sarah Sargent, Publicity; Jennifer Snyder, Fellowship; Michelle Parcetic, Religious Education; Bruce Thaeler, Membership; Tracy Smock, Social Action.

Treasurer’s Report: Mike Thomson

    Mike distributed the report and noted that our income is below our expenditures. Some expenses are high because of the season (utilities) and some because we have received bills for one-time expenditures such as office equipment. Pledges and non-pledge income are below average. We also need to keep making progress on the Capital Campaign (see Properties Report).

There was no Finance Report.

Minister’s Report: Kate Walker

    Kate is attending Ohio-Meadville District meeting April 21-22 in Columbus. The program includes a round table discussion on what unity underlies our diversity, transforming our district, a congregational presidents meeting (registration fee waived), and a Commission on Appraisal hearing (this group is charged with appraising the health and well being, as well as direction of the UUA). She encouraged our participation.

    Kate attended the Mid-Sized Church conference, which is held every 3 years. This time it took place in Phoenix, AZ. She received a lot of affirmation on what we are doing. There is a movement to have less focus on the sermon and more participation using music, dance, etc. There is a supplement to our current hymnal, Singing the Journey, which looks promising. They are $12.80 each when bought in bulk.

Fellowship: Jennifer Snyder

    In January two circle suppers were held (Jim & Cindy Snyder and the Searle-Whites). On January 27, the committee had a 6:59er with the Social Action Committee providing the program Wal-Mart: the high cost of low price film for discussion. The committee hosted Italian Amore on Feb. 11 for Valentine’s Day; 22 people attended. The committee is planning a St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 17. Future plans: In April there will be a reception following Jon Abrams Music of Billy Joel concert. On April 29, the committee will help Vanessa Summerlin with the refreshments for the Goods and Services Auction.

Membership: Bruce Thaeler

    The Committee meets on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month. Members: Bruce Thaeler, Sue Mallick, Venessa, Sue and Kim Lethco, Carolyn Chase, Paul Walton, Joan Mason, and Ginny Crowe (sunbird).

    Major goal this year is to better integrate new visitors to our church community between the time they make their first visit and the decision to sign the book.

    Activities: We have created a Membership at Our Church document for inclusion in each church service bulletin. We are rewriting the pew cards including words from Kate Walker. Is UU 4 U? sessions will start March 12, then April 23 with more to follow as needed. We are making an effort to provide greeters (in addition to the ushers) for each service. We want to recruit from others in the congregation, not only the committee. We will bring the new member biographies (Oracle) up to speed. Always looking for new members!

Public Relations: Sarah Sargent

    Ongoing: Weekly church announcement to the Meadville and Titusville papers. Chris Mather has created a draft of a general brochure for the church (this was distributed to the board). There is some "white space" which is available for additional information such as: how to get involved in committee work (!), what types of activities are available for participation, what we do in the community, etc.

    We meet on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month. Attendees have been: Bruce Thaeler, Bill Miller, Cheryl Burkey, and Sarah Sargent.

    New photocopier and duplicator are in operation; virus protection software installed on Vanessa’s computer and many spyware/adware guests were removed. Bruce is working with Rob Sharp on developing transcriptions of the sermons using voice recognition software. MP3 files of sermons are available on the website for download. Still working on our use of Church Windows (software program). We are looking to provide remote access to those who need it.

Social Action Committee: Tracy Smock

    In January we held a 6:59er with Fellowship and viewed a the film Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price followed by a discussion about issues such as poverty, health care, and fair trade. Two copies of the film are in the church library available for check out. We are looking for a film which represents an opposing view of this issue. Upcoming projects: March 19: Photo display and discussion of the Gulf Coast 2005 hurricane relief effort. April 2: helping with the worship service-pulpit assistant and writing campaign. April 9: sponsorship of the Clarence Darrow show in Erie and the UU Church. Creek Fest reception at the parish house. May 7: leading the worship service.

    Ongoing Projects: We are working on the fall program on social justice empowerment. We need to form an accurate picture of our social justice programs. Post Cards for Politicians Activism Center: we are looking for volunteers to gather information on current events for our activism center and writing campaigns. Partner Church Program (Romanian Church): Would like to have part of our website dedicated to our partner church program. We have digital photographs in addition to text to share and would like to communicate with our partner church. We are working with RE on a program for the children. Welcoming Congregation Program: looking for ideas. Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen: Food pantry is still benefiting from the Guest at Your Table service donations. More donations are always welcome. Special thanks to our soup kitchen volunteers! Criminal Justice and Prison Reform Program: We are reviewing information about the MOVE organization and its members imprisoned in Cambridge Springs.

Goods and Services Auction: Cynthia Burton

    The auction will take place on April 29 in the Parish House. Doors open at 5:30 when refreshments will be offered and the Silent Auction items will be on display. At 7 p.m. the live auction begins. Dave Nicholls (from Nicholls Auctions) is donating his services. There will be a $5 per person admission charge. We will allow proxy bidding. Instructions will be in the auction catalogue. Items and services donated can be submitted in three ways: Online donation forms, paper forms, and email. See article in this Oracle for ways to help!

Properties Committee: Mark Wickenheiser

    Len Nichols will re-hang the doors on the front of the church and also create a second exit from the building. Mark reiterated much of Dave Anderson’s report from February on the urgent need for several major projects: the Parish House furnace, the Parish House entrance, the slate roof replacement, and electrical updating in the Parish House are all high on the list of priorities.

    We discussed the proposal that appeared in February UU World of using non-pledge donations for out-reach to the many charities in our area. The impact on our budget (we expect/count on about $6200 per year for our operating budget) was mentioned. Tracy volunteered to write an article for the Oracle inviting members to consider this idea.

    Next meeting is April 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish House. Next month’s committee reports are from: Worship, Religious Education, Properties, and Fellowship. Meeting Adjourned 8:25 p.m.

Meetings are held in the parish house; everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend any or all meetings.

    There is a sign-up sheet on the Parish House desk, or you can call Carolyn Chase.

Saturday, April 29 – 5:30-10:00 p.m. – Parish House

    This promises to be a night of fun, fellowship, and fundraising. There will be both a silent auction and a live auction of fabulous goods and services donated by members and friends. Here are ways you can help this very important event be pleasure and a success.

    Donate Early, Donate Often! Donor forms are on the church website, in paper in the church office (a form was in the last Oracle you received), or contact Cynthia Burton with your donations or questions.

    We need a variety of items. Be kind! Jerry Almes is creating our catalogue. He wants to have a preliminary catalogue ready for you to take home or receive in the mail by Easter, so don’t tarry! He will thank you, your finance committee will thank you, and your fellow members and friends will thank you!

    Be generous! Donate services and goods, volunteer to help on the evening of the auction or volunteer to help plan for the auction – see list below. Then come that evening, bring your friends, and look forward to all the future fun you will have while supporting the life and future of our church. No UU left behind! :)

• Refreshments: Venessa Summerlin has volunteered to coordinate. See her if you can help.

• Greeters/Welcomers: 4 people

• Decorating

• Silent Auction Coordinator: 1 person – display the objects and fixed priced items such as dinners or classes for people to buy.

• 50/50 Raffle: 2 people needed

• Registrars: 2 people needed

• Bid recorders: 4-6 people needed

• Check out people: 3 people needed

• Proxy bidding coordinator: 1 person needed

    It’s been spring on the calendar for a while, but today it really was spring – the kind of day the poet (I believe it was Lowell) told us "Heaven tries earth if it be in tune, and over it softly her warm ear lays ..." The sides of the lane glowed yellow as the sun shone on the newly blossoming colt’s foot, and two hawks circled lazily not too far above my head as I waited for the bus.

    Yesterday, the groundhog appeared in my back yard, nibbling the new shoots of grass. "Hello," I said. "It’s good to see you again. Welcome back: it must be spring." "Of course it’s spring, or I wouldn’t be here," he snapped back. He has a bit of an attitude. He looked me straight in the eye and grumbled. Then he winked as he continued. "That superannuated, egotistical movie star from Punxatawney wouldn’t know a spring if he fell into one (pardon the pun), and I wish he would. He’s given us all a bad name. It’s spring when there’s food to forage, and it’s warm enough to leave the den. It’s spring when the wild colt’s foot blooms, and the sound of the bird songs change. It’s spring when those silly dogs of yours take naps on the porch roof. You and I know when it’s spring. We don’t need a gimmick. It’s spring when ‘every clod fells a stir of might, an instinct within it that reaches and towers and climbs to a soul in grass and in flowers,’" he said, completing the verse of the poem I started with. "Gotta go now. The family’s hungry. You ought to spend more time out-doors yourself." So saying, he disappeared into the bushes.

    I have tight buds on my daffodils. Sadly, I’ll miss seeing them bloom this year. The glory of a north-east spring will happen while I’m in Las Vegas. There lawns are red gravel, or green painted concrete, and the only spring flowers are in florists’ windows. I’ll get to know my daughter-in-law better, and meet my grand-son, Andrew Scott as soon as he’s born. I’ll enjoy the visit, and there’ll be lots of opportunities to get in my 3-5 mile walks each day, and to go bird watching. Honestly, though, always hovering just beyond conscious thought will be the sadness of the missing three weeks of spring.

    Thanks to the Sunday morning book sale, we now have a number of new books in our library.

    Why Do People Believe Weird Things? covers a variety of ideas that people have supported iin the name of religion – aliens from space in our ancestry, millennialism, flat earth theories, etc. It presents the point of view of the believers, as well as scientific arguments. The large chapter on creationism/intelligent design/evolution is excellent.

    An American Jezebel is the story of Anne Hutchinson, who was driven out of puritan Boston on charges of heresy for teaching religious studies to women and profession the right of conscience and the equality of women.

    Quest, a Guide for Creating Your Own Vision Quest is a practical book that will help you through the process. It draws on a number of spiritual systems. It includes a special chapter for teenagers.

    The God Gene is an in-depth look at the theory that our brains are hardwired to embrace a higher power. This genetic disposition may actually be an advantage to evolution as it provides us with a sense of purpose and a will to overcome adversity.

    Do you love mysteries? The book sale provided two series, relevant to UU history, when it first began a few years ago. The Grace Manfredo series is set in Seneca Falls, NY at the time when women were beginning to demand equal rights. While most of the books focus on the suffragist and abolitionist activities, the books also deal with the Civil War, the John Brown uprising and Native American rights, all set in the mid 1800s. Many of the characters can be found on a list of famous UUs. The other series is set in Boston in the 1840s. Hosea Ballou has retired as a Universalist preacher and enjoys life in Boston, and holy ground of Universalism and Universalism. He and his dog Spot solve murders while providing us with a glimpse of Boston’s caste system.

    A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door. When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card has been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10". Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."